Missional Focus: Ministering with a Sense of Urgency

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Acts 20:1-16

 

Acts 20:15-16

And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.

(ESV)

 

While it might seem that ministers are not that busy since they only appear to work on Sunday, the ministry is a multifaceted profession, and why one should only go into it if they have a calling to ministry from God in their lives.  The Sunday sermon requires study during the week.  During the week ministers counsel people and, most importantly must spend time alone with God to ensure they remain connected to God and spiritually strong, something even Christ did (Mark 1:35).  In the text of Acts 20:1-16, the Apostle Paul seems to be ministering with a sense of urgency leading us to ask the question, why the urgency?

 

After the riot at Ephesus ceased (Acts 19:21-41), the Apostle Paul sends for the disciples to bring them encouragement but then says farewell and departs for Macedonia (Acts 20:1).  While it is understandable that those in Ephesus who just witnessed a riot would need encouragement, his hasty departure for Macedonia also had a purpose of bringing encouragement (Acts 20:2).  Paul then leaves for Greece where he spends three months ministering, returning to Macedonia after he discovers a plot against him by the Jews.  (Acts 20:3). 

 

Paul has an entourage following him, including Timothy whom Paul is mentoring for ministry.  Along with this entourage, Paul engages in a whirlwind tour of ministry beginning at Troas where Eutychus is raised from the dead and then engaging on a three-day tour of Chios, Samos, and Miletus (Acts 20:7-15).  Paul also has a sense of urgency to be in Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost (Acts 20:16). 

 

As for why Paul has this increase in urgency we can only speculate.  Perhaps Paul senses the increase in persecution turning violent as happened in Ephesus, and senses in his Spirit that he must visit believers in the places where he has ministered, encouraging those facing persecution.  Paul may also sense that his race is coming to an end (2 Timothy 4:6-8) and there is a need to groom the men accompanying him for ministry when he is gone.  There is also a sense of urgency to go to Jerusalem so he can reason with the Jews there, including the high priest.  However, this is a healthy sense of urgency for Paul has a missional focus that must continue after he is gone. 

 

After the riot in Ephesus, Paul could have escaped and taken a break for refreshment as he did in Antioch (Acts 18:18-23).  Instead, Paul and his entourage are on a mission to bring encouragement to believers in Macedonia and Greece with Paul wanting to be in Jerusalem for the Day of Pentecost.  Galatians 6:9 warns us not to weary ourselves with doing good but goes on to say that the one doing good will reap a reward in due season if they do not give up.  The riot in Ephesus was not sufficient for Paul to give up and thus, he continues by visiting believers in Macedonia where the Lord called him to go (Acts 16:9-10) and then to Greece for three months until he discovered a plot against him.  Paul may know that his ministry is ending, that the Romans and Jews will execute him for his faith, and wants to encourage those he has ministered to.  He is also in a hurry to be in Jerusalem for the Day of Pentecost. 

 

As restrictions on activities brought on by the pandemic lift, Churches face decisions.  Should they still require masks when in services or can they ease these restrictions?  Is there still a need to social distance and limit the numbers of people allowed into services and what restrictions should Churches place on small group gatherings.  However, one thing must remain constant, the spreading of the Gospel and the making of disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20).  Like Paul in Acts 20:1-16, the Church today must move from the uproar caused by the pandemic and continue its missional focus of taking the Gospel to a world in need and making disciples.  This involves evangelizing those in our communities who do not know Christ, equipping those that do with knowledge of God’s Word, encouraging them as they face challenges, and ensuring they minister with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.  A world in need of revival needs a Church focused on its mission. 

 

If you are reading this and have not made a profession of faith in Jesus as your savior, I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

For those that just prayed, I encourage you to find a local church focused on making disciples by equipping them with knowledge of the Bible, encouraging them through challenging times, and ensuring believers have the empowerment with the Holy Spirit in their lives.  May God bless everyone reading this post.